Un-Trip Report - WSJ June 2011

[JanT]

Hi David,

Thanks for clarifying that. Yes, we must have been at the hotel portion - up by the main lobby. We were kind of in a hurry so didn't realize that we weren't in the timeshare portion. We will have to check that out the next time we head down to the VIs. Sounds like the upgrades are a bit more in keeping with the kind of island-style we were thinking they would be.

Jan

Hi J -

The old wooden shingles are gone and have been replaced - there is new non-shingle siding that is light in color. The roof was also replaced - as well as the doors and windows. I am not sure what villas you were looking at recently - perhaps the hotel part in the main resort? I think those still have those old drab dark wooden shingles (although we only went to the main resort once to get to the dock, and wasn't paying close attn). The villas on the hill (B31, B32, B33, and B34) - have been remodeled.

Added - I didn't take the photos and video of the villas like usual - but here is a YouTube link showing the new sidings/roof from the pool area between B33 and B34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIzUh8V8JK0

 

[DavidnRobin]

The interior Hillside (VG) villas are very much in Westin decor - which some have said not to prefer (howver, we do like it - esp compared to how they used to look). The BV villas have sort of a half-Carib/half-Westin feel to them. Having parking by our villa is a big plus for us because we can get in/out very quickly, and that allows for more freedom (IMO). The downside is that we never get to the resort/hotel area. Other than meeting a boat at the dock - we only got down to the resort to the front desk, and the Workout/SPA area (love the 'remodeled' workout room btw).

 

[bdogma]

We ended up in bldg 31 on the 2nd floor with great views. The walk up the hill gets old

It is so beautiful but it is pretty rainy and overcast. Yesterday at Cinnamon, it was gorgeous in the afternoon. There were maybe a dozen people there - it's like having a private beach!

Woke up to a flooded kitchen due to a burst water line to the ice maker... The noseeums are biting but otherwise this place is amazing. We would return in a heartbeat!

Headed to Miss Lucys today and some beach hopping! Thanks for all the help we are having a great time!!

 

[ksqdomer]

the grills along building 31 and 33 have been replaced and the grill by 34 was cleaned by staff as i hung by the pool one afternoon. I was getting to the point of tossing a match into the grill to save my eyebrows!

Agree that the buildings look great. The metal roof is pretty noisy in a downpour.

The weather was pretty decent from 6/24 to 7/3. Probably 2 washout days and the rest with passing showers and plenty of sun. sure beat last years week 25.

The Belgian beer tasting at the Starfish on 7/2 was cool as well

 

[DavidnRobin]

glad they did something - hope it was more than cleaning - the burners on the B33/34 grills had coroded and had become an accident waiting to happen.

glad your weather got better.

 

[tomandrobin]

Thanks for your annual WSJ trip report and updates.

We head back to WSJ next July, 2012 with 2 other couples. Ted's Super Club looks like a great idea......bookmarked and saved.

The BBQ sounds amazing too.

Did you visit The Tap Room?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Ted's Supper Club was excellent - could be best meal ever - but did come at a hefty price (worth it if these types of things are important to you/family).

We did go to the Tap Room for some music and beer - although I am not a fan of their beer (brewed in Northeast) as the IPA is not bold enough (and others have flaws as well - being a beer snob...) - it will do in a pinch.

I have tons of video and photos, and will link if I ever get around to it.

 

[tomandrobin]

Ted's Supper Club was excellent - could be best meal ever - but did come at a hefty price (worth it if these types of things are important to you/family).

If its under $150 pp, then its in play.

 

[DavidnRobin]

If its under $150 pp, then its in play.

You are set - I just told him we wanted fresh local veggies (as much as possible) and fresh fish (which can be variable) - he made up our menu and split the dishes between us for each course (2 different ones between the 2 couples).

 

[Ken555]

You are set - I just told him we wanted fresh local veggies (as much as possible) and fresh fish (which can be variable) - he made up our menu and split the dishes between us for each course.

Hiring a chef to cook a custom menu with local ingredients is often a fantastic bonus to a great trip. We just did this while in Italy (in Venice) and while I didn't get to choose the menu (and it wasn't all to my liking) the food preparation and overall experience was great. I wonder if anyone on this board has hired chefs from other SVN locations, and if so would post their experiences (perhaps this should be a separate thread).